CVE-2019-2226 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In device_class_to_int of device_class.cc, there is a possible out of bounds read due to improper casting. This could lead to local information disclosure in the Bluetooth server with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-8.0 Android-8.1 Android-9 Android-10Android ID: A-140152619
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2226 resides within the Android Bluetooth subsystem and specifically affects the device_class_to_int function implementation in device_class.cc. This flaw represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that arises from improper type casting operations within the Bluetooth device class handling logic. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects multiple Android versions including 8.0, 8.1, 9, and 10, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The issue stems from the lack of proper bounds checking when processing device class identifiers, creating a scenario where malicious input could cause the system to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a casting operation that fails to validate the input parameters before processing them as integer values. When the Bluetooth server processes device class information, the improper casting allows an attacker to manipulate the input data in such a way that the subsequent memory access operations extend beyond the intended buffer limits. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, which specifically addresses improper validation of array indices and buffer overflows. The vulnerability requires user execution privileges to exploit, meaning that an attacker would need to have an application running with appropriate permissions to trigger the condition, though this still represents a significant security risk given the privileged nature of Bluetooth services.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2226 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can lead to local information disclosure within the Bluetooth server environment. This means that an attacker with user-level privileges could potentially extract sensitive information from the Bluetooth service memory space, including but not limited to system configuration data, authentication tokens, or other confidential information that might be stored in memory. The information disclosure aspect of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 which covers data from local system, and T1059 which encompasses command and scripting interpreter execution. The exploitation of this vulnerability does not require user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically when Bluetooth services process device connection requests.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper bounds checking and input validation within the device_class_to_int function. Android security patches typically address such issues by adding explicit range checks before casting operations and ensuring that all array accesses are properly validated against buffer boundaries. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying the relevant Android security updates that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and Bluetooth service restrictions can help limit the potential impact by reducing the attack surface and preventing unauthorized access to Bluetooth services. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in system services, particularly those that handle untrusted data from external devices in wireless communication protocols.